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This slide show was developed by Kraus-Fitch Architects to educate cohousing groups about cohousing design issues, before they begin the programming and schematic design of their communities. It is part one of a series of presentations including: Part 1 – What is Cohousing? Part 2 – Cohousing Site Design Part 3 – Common House Design Part 4 – Cohousing Unit Design Part 5 – Cohousing & Sustainability Part 6 – Getting the Work Done K RAUS- F ITCH A RCHITECTS, I NC. Environmentally inspired design

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 includes a common house for community activities and shared meals  is pedestrian friendly  is designed, managed and maintained by residents  is governed by residents using a refined consensus decision making process. Cohousing is a form of intentional community that was imported to the United States from Denmark in the late 80’s. Cohousing provides the privacy we are accustomed to with the community we seek. And, it is Cohousing typically: much, much more…

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Cohousing strives to create a village of all ages where neighbors know and support each other…

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Eating in the common house is a big part of cohousing for many adults and families.

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People find many reasons in a cohousing environment to come together to celebrate and create traditions.

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Cohousing is supportive of adults as well as children. Adults enjoy the opportunity to socialize and form interest and support groups without the stress of driving across town.

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Cohousing communities are usually self-managed and maintained. They are places where people work together to enrich their lives and improve their environment.

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Bringing people close together can make it easier to share resources.

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People’s skills are shared and valued, as well. In cohousing, you can always find someone to help in a chore or do something you cannot.

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Children in cohousing have many adult mentors from whom they can learn a variety of skills.

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The cohousing model recognizes that privacy in your own home can help support community life.

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While most cohousing communities are multi- generational, “senior cohousing” is becoming a popular option for elders seeking community and control in their retirement years.

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Cohousing is more ecologically sustainable than most suburban housing in the US today.  Clustered housing saves valuable land for community facilities, recreation, and conservation  Smaller homes save construction materials and energy for heating and cooling  Sharing items means less consumption of non-renewable resources  Urban communities often redevelop “brownfields”

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Some cohousing communities are mixed use (with commercial spaces) and many communities have “home office buildings”. This enables people to work near where they live. Office Building and Workshop at Pioneer Valley Cohousing, A,mherst, MA

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 clustered housing  a pedestrian environment  and a common house Because cohousing is resident designed, the final product typically reflects the values of the community members. It also reflects the site on which it is located. However, most cohousing communities include:

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Guest rooms in the common house are a tremendous and well used community asset.

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The living room is for lounging, and is often used for evening committee meetings.

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 children to romp after a community meal  formal childcare  informal play and “baby groups”  noisy and messy activities The kids’ room is a place for:

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Incorporating laundry in the common house saves resources and brings people together.

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A community workshop is another good way to share resources and free up space in individual homes.

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A well designed Common House allows for smaller individual homes because:  The great room can substitute for large family and living rooms  The common house kitchen is stocked with all those appliances you only use on occasion  There is no need for guest rooms in your home  A kids’ room in the common house eliminates the need for home-based playroom and large storage areas for seldom used toys Even a home-based laundry area is not needed.

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And a well designed community allows for fewer, but better, recreational facilities so there is no need for individual:  Pools  Play & climbing equipment  Hot tubs / spas  Lawns Even barbeques can be shared

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Process How do you build cohousing? Process How do you build cohousing?

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Design workshops can enable groups to make many decisions efficiently.

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Design “programming” should happen before schematic design. Design programming is the process of developing a written description of your expectations for the completed project. Hiring an architect with experience in cohousing will ensure that the programming process is efficient and complete. Programming is to a successful design solution as a good recipe is to a fine dining experience.

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Because residents design the community themselves, they feel a connection to the land and each other before the physical community is even built. It takes a long time to build cohousing, but even the process is worth it!

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Kraus-Fitch Architects is nationally recognized as one of the most experienced firms working with cohousing. Mary Kraus has been working with cohousing groups since 1990; Laura Fitch discovered her interest in cohousing during a trip to Denmark in 1980. We are both residents of Pioneer Valley Cohousing in Amherst Massachusetts. Our experience as members helps us to understand the issues facing other cohousing groups, and gives us unique insight into the underlying interpersonal and group dynamics that affect the design process. Our inside knowledge combined with our professional experience with cohousing architecture creates an especially effective and comprehensive approach. Cohousing is what we have chosen both personally and professionally and we bring great enthusiasm and inspiration to our work with communities. K RAUS- F ITCH A RCHITECTS, I NC. Environmentally inspired design This slide show was produced by:

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Kraus-Fitch Architects have been involved in the programming and/or design of the following cohousing communities: Pathways Cohousing - Northampton, MA full services for 24 units of housing and common house Pioneer Valley Cohousing - Amherst, MA 32 units of housing and common house full services in collaboration with Kitchell & Austin Architects EcoVillage at Ithaca Second Neighborhood Programming and schematic design for 30 units within an ecovillage Oak Creek Commons - Paso Robles, CA Programming for 31 units and Common house; design review Shadowlake Village - Blacksburg, VA Programming for 30 units and Common house; design review The Hilltop - San Marcos, TX Programming and schematic design for 20 units and Common house Takoma Village Cohousing - Washington, DC Programming of commonhouse for 44 unit community RoseWind Cohousing - Port Townsend, WA Schematic Design for Commonhouse for 26-unit community Oak Point Cohousing – Madison WI Site programming and schematic design of 30 units of housing and common house Mosaic Commons Cohousing - Berlin, MA Full Service design of 30 units of housing and common house Greenfield Cohousing - Greenfield, MA Conceptual design and perspective presentation drawing Jamaica Plain Cohousing - Jamaica Plain, MA urban infill of 30 units of housing and common house programming of all aspects of project schematic design in collaboration with DHK, Inc. Rose Hill Cohousing - Redmond, WA Site programming & schematic design - 30 units of housing and common house Delaware St. Cohousing - Lawrence, KS Programming & schematic design of common house within 30 unit cohousing development Champlain Valley Cohousing - Charlotte, VT Programming all aspects of 36 units of housing and common house

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K RAUS- F ITCH A RCHITECTS, I NC. Environmentally inspired design To purchase additional cohousing slide presentations or find out about our cohousing design workshops tailored to your community, contact Kraus-Fitch Architects at: 110 Pulpit Hill Road Amherst, MA 01002 413-549-5799 www.krausfitch.com This slide show was Part 1 in a series including: Part 1 – What is Cohousing? Part 2 – Cohousing Site Design Part 3 – Common House Design Part 4 – Cohousing Unit Design Part 5 – Cohousing & Sustainability Part 6 – Getting the Work Done This slide show was Part 1 in a series including: Part 1 – What is Cohousing? Part 2 – Cohousing Site Design Part 3 – Common House Design Part 4 – Cohousing Unit Design Part 5 – Cohousing & Sustainability Part 6 – Getting the Work Done